Katrina’s three-year-old son Rowan loves bins and garbage trucks.
Every Thursday morning while at his Lake Macquarie home, he enjoys watching the council garbage truck gobble household waste from the family’s two big bins, before wheeling them to the side of the property.
“It’s our ritual every week and it brings him joy,” Katrina says.
It’s an act the Anglican EcoCare member says offers a chance to discuss the church’s Season of Creation.
The Season of Creation is a time Christians dedicate to the renewal of their relationship with the Creator and all creation.
The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
Filled with celebration, it is a time for prayer and action for ‘our common home’ – Earth.
“During Season of Creation we are reminded of the sacredness of our earth,” Katrina explains.
“When we deepen our connection to nature, we deepen our connection to God.
“We can do this by going for bush walks, going stargazing, or going to the beach for a sunset swim.”
Timed to coincide with the start of spring, it is also an opportunity to reconsider or reactivate our relationship with planet Earth.
“Season of Creation also motivates us to be more responsible and sustainable,” Katrina adds.
“You can reduce your carbon footprint, use less plastic, or participate in upcycling. It is a season that moves you to do something.”
Through her son’s passion for garbage collection, Katrina has an opportunity to discuss ways to better care for the planet.
“We can talk about what goes in which bin and what we can reuse or recycle. We can collect our green waste and compost it a community garden or start using the soft plastics recycling initiative called Curby with the council,” she says.
“We can talk about why it is important to look after the planet. It is what being a good citizen is all about. But it is also faith in action.
“Delighting in nature and looking after it is doing the work of the gospel.
“Remember that when you next take the bins out.”
Visit the Season of Creation website or go to Anglican EcoCare Newcastle’s Facebook page to learn more.
